Disaster Relief
The earthquake disaster in Haiti has been heartbreaking. The severity of the devastation, the number of injuries, the tremendous loss of life and the amount of displacement of people is almost more than we can truly fathom.God is blessing even in the midst of this tragedy, however, and I am pleased that Kentucky Baptists have been able to be a part of the early relief efforts.
Coy Webb, the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s disaster relief associate, was a part of the first Southern Baptist assessment team sent to work out the logistics for the long-term Baptist response. And, a Kentucky Baptist medical team was one of the first Southern Baptist teams to get in to minister to needs.
This team ministered in one of the tent cities that sprang up after the earthquake as well as in a makeshift hospital in what had been police barracks just across the street from the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince.
The work is just beginning, though, and we will have an incredible opportunity to assist the 800 plus Haitian Baptist churches that are ministering to the people. The Florida Baptist Convention already supports seven missionaries in Haiti who work through these churches.
Right now, Kentucky Baptists have a grand opportunity to give financially to help fund the relief work and to put together a “Bucket of Hope” which will provide practical physical support for Haitian families.
Financial gifts may be made by giving online at www.kybaptist.org/dr, by putting a gift designated for Haiti in the offering plate at your church, or by mailing it to: KBC, P.O. Box 856300, Dept. 124, Louisville, KY 40285-9900. (Please note “Haiti Earthquake” on the check’s memo line.)
The “Bucket of Hope” consists of a plastic five-gallon bucket packed with selected foodstuffs. It will cost approximately $40 to purchase the materials and provide for shipping.
Details can be found online at www.kybaptist.org/buckets. The buckets need to be turned in to your association’s collection point by March 4.
Although it has not gotten as much attention, Kentucky Baptists are also still at work in American Samoa which was devastated by a tsunami last September. Larry and Elaine Koch of Kentucky are on site coordinating Southern Baptist rebuilding efforts and report great needs there. If you have a team ready that can’t yet go to Haiti, please pray about going to American Samoa.
I am confident that all Kentucky Baptists will do their best to support both of these disaster relief and rebuilding efforts. Teams will be needed for years to come.
Please pray for all of these disaster relief efforts and the people who are still in recovery and rebuilding. Also, pray for the spiritual development of all persons involved.
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posted by: Bill Mackey on February 16th, 2010